(6.) For to every providence there is a time and a judgment (that is, a proper season for its occurrence, and a time when it will be shown to be in the economy of providence), for the wrong of man (generic, with the article) is much upon him (the LXX. here read דעת, ‘knowledge,’ γνῶσις; Symmachus and the Syriac read as the Hebrew. On the whole, however, it appears that the text is fully entitled to stand undisturbed, as it makes better sense, and, supposing an error in the LXX., it might so readily occur from a misreading of letters so much alike as ד and ר. The older forms, however, of these two letters were not so much alike, as is shown by the Moabite stone, and hence caution is required in coming to a judgment; but further, γνῶσις has already been used in a bad sense, see chapter i. 18).
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
and because, he is not one who knows what may be; and because, how it will be, none can tell him.
(7.) For he is not knowing (that is, man is not a creature that knows) what will be (contract relative with the verb): for how it will be, who can tell him? (the particle כי is introduced four times, and each introduces an additional reason strengthening what went before. Thus the wise heart will not know a matter which is bad——will not allow, that is, that in its nature it is so, and he does know that there is an appointed time and judgment which will set all right. First, because to every providence whatever there is such a time and judgment; secondly, because there is so much evil amongst mankind, which of course needs rectification, and will have it, see [chapter iii. 15]; and because he cannot tell what will be, and so right may be discovered and providence vindicated in the future; and lastly, because as none can predict the result of any event, so he is an imperfect judge concerning it. This impotence of man is further set forth in what follows).
8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no [¹]discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
[¹] Or, casting off weapons.